Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish Tissues, Water and Sediment from Epe and Badagry Lagoons, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Water samples, sediments, tilapia and cat fishes from each of Epe and Badagry lagoons in Lagos State, Nigeria were analyzed quantitatively for the presence of zinc, nickel and iron using Perking Elmer atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The sediment contains higher concentration of Fe with a value of 13.30 µg/g against 8.400 µg/g in fishes and 7.30 mg/L in water. Studies on the different parts of the fish revealed higher concentrations of 4.00 µg/g Ni on the head of tilapia fish followed by 2.40 µg/g Ni in the intestine of cat fish. The highest concentration of 1.95 µg/g Zn was detected on the head of the cat fish while the lowest concentration with a value of 0.16 µg/g was recorded in tilapia head. The concentration of Zn in the water is within the limits permitted by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) of 1.0 mg/L Zn set for water. None of the trace metals investigated was above the maximum permissible level set by world health organization ( WHO).

Bioaccumulation of some trace element (Zn, Fe, Pb and Cu) in the gills and tissues of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus in River Ogbese, Ondo State, Nigeria

“…This may be attributed to the various human activities, such as discharge of untreated sewage and uses of industrial materials that contain metals or the ability of the sediment to act as sink (Olowu et al, 2010). The presence of these elements in both the gills and tissues of fish in the study area agrees with studies carried out in some water bodies in Nigeria as presented in Table 1.…”

“…Also, the high concentrations of iron and zinc in the fish parts could be associated to the fact that these metals are naturally abundant in Nigeria soils and since the source of metal depositories is the aquatic system (Olowu et al, 2010). The accumulation of iron is statistically significant in gills (>0.005) whereas zinc and lead vary significantly in the tissue.…”

Evaluation of copper, lead and arsenic level in tilapia fish in Cempaka Lake (Bangi, Malaysia) and human daily/weekly intake

“…There is ongoing concern with pollution of the aquatic system as a result of this deleterious effect. Although metals occur naturally in aquatic ecosystems, high population growth accompanied with intensive urbanization, industrial activities and higher exploitation of natural resources has increased pollution levels (Olowu et al 2010). In industrial regions of the world the disposing of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and mercury has been given significant concern because of their rising levels in the aquatic environments (Bako & Daudu 2007), and because of their adverse effects on aquatic life forms (Lopa & Adhikari 2006).…”

Determination of Heavy Metals in Selected Fish Species found in Kwalkwalawa River, Dundaye. Sokoto State

“…Heavy metals are important group of chemical elements, whereby food is the main route for entry into human body tissues (Olowu et al, 2010). Some heavy metals irreversibly are bound to human body tissues, e.g., cadmium to kidneys and lead to bones (Kaplan et al, 2011).…”